SALUTE FOR A HERO
COMMUNITY REMEMBERS FALLEN GLENOLDEN POLICE CHIEF:
GLENOLDEN » On Thursday county, law enforcement and borough officials unveiled a “Hero Plaque” on the spot where 46 years ago Police Chief Robert Sparks gave his life in service to his community.
It was the evening of March 25, 1975 and Sparks and Officer Jerry Quinn were off duty before heading to a police officers’ meeting. But first Quinn needed to stop to pick up a prescription at Mirman’s Pharmacy on the corner of East Glenolden Avenue and Ches- ter Pike.
As the officers exited the pharmacy, two armed men ap- proached, assuming Sparks and Quinn were the pharmacists carrying the day’s receipts for deposit. The men attempted to rob Sparks and Quinn, who identified themselves as police officers.
One male fled down East Glenolden Avenue with Quinn in pursuit and shots were fired. The second robber didn’t run; instead he shot at point blank range, fatally wounding Sparks.
Sparks, though not married, left behind a grieving family.
Quinn served his community honorably and went on to become mayor of the borough. In 2014, Dennis Daly, a police officer in neighboring Norwood, approached Quinn with the plan to place the plaque in time for the 40th anniversary.
“When I approached thenMayor Quinn of my idea to dedicate this hero plaque to his friend, Mayor Quinn quickly said yes,” Daly said.
Unfortunately, the plan ran into hurdles and in 2019 Quinn passed away. But Daly promised he would get it done and on Thursday he did.
What was once Mirman’s pharmacy is now the site of Pal Che Tang Soo Do, Korean Martial Arts Studio who allowed the plaque to be placed in front of its business. Police from across Delaware, Montgomery counties and Philadelphia, along with his family, elected officials and friends turned out for the event to honor Sparks.
“We are honoring Chief Sparks, not for how he died but for how he lived,” said Darby Township Police Officer Jimmy Binns, who in 2001 started the Hero Plaque Program which has since placed 308 plaques across the Delaware Valley honoring police and firefighters killed in the line of duty. Officers recognized through this program include Philadelphia Officer Daniel Faulkner and Upper Darby Officer Dennis MacNamara.
“I can remember hearing the name Chief Sparks and how he was respected in the community and how Sparks was legendary for his diversionary program,” said Daly. “If Chief Sparks caught you bending the law, you had one choice – he either took you home to your parents or took you for a haircut and at that time long hair was coming into style and he was not a fan of long hair… there were a lot of kids running around Glenolden with buzzed haircuts.”
“We can all laugh now but sadly that all changed on the evening of Tuesday March 25, 1975,” he added.
“Chief Sparks was a 20-year veteran of the Glenolden Police Department. Chief Sparks was a titan,” said Ridley Park Police Chief Robert Frazier. “He was al
ways there for his community and he also believed in giving people a second chance.”
“He was a very nice guy. That day was unbelievable for me,” recalled John Hawlings, a patrolman in Collingdale at the time. “I had only been on the job for a couple of years and we were at the FOP meeting that night in Ridley Township. Everybody responded from there, it was unbelievable. Everybody just banded together immediately.”
“In 1975, we got the call that no law enforcement family wants to hear- that Chief Sparks had died, but I can tell you the Sparks family has had amazing support for all these years,” said Keith Sparks, his nephew. “I remember him as being a happy guy, always smiling. He loved his family and really took care of his mother, whom he lived with. He was a wonderful uncle, wonderful brother and son and was really missed when he passed on so tragically.”
“He was my inspiration for going into law enforcement,” said the younger Sparks, who served 30 years with the New Castle County police. “We’re very proud of the fact of his service and this commemorates his sacrifice and it reminds people that police officers do a very dangerous job and we need to respect and honor the people of law enforcement.”
When an officer dies in the line of duty, their loss is felt throughout the police force. Quinn also bore the pain of losing his friend that night.
“It was tough for him, it was tough for him to relive it,” Daly said.
At a 2018 resentencing hearing for Lewis Lee, 58, one of the two men who committed the crime, Quinn testified how it affected him.
“He died in my arms,” Quinn told the judge. “He took everything away from me. I think of that day at least three to five times a week.”
While Quinn didn’t live to see the plaque installed, his family was there Thursday.
“I just wish my dad was still here. He’s the one who wanted this up. I wish he was here to see it,” said his son Robert. “But he’s looking down on us watching.”
“I can tell you the Sparks family has had amazing support for all these years,” Keith Sparks said. “I can’t tell you enough what Jerry Quinn meant to us in his efforts in helping my uncle and our family. I want to say thank you again for the efforts you make every day.”